Appleseed testifies in support of bill to better enable kinship homes in foster care

On January 31, Appleseed Child Welfare Director Sarah Helvey testified before the HHS Committee in support of LB 265.

LB 265, introduced by Senator Colby Coash, would enable children in foster care to be placed with a family friend or person with whom the child has a previous, significant contact – known as a “kinship home” – without the foster parent being required to go through a time-consuming licensing process. At the same time, the bill seeks to minimize barriers to licensure and provide assistance, including information, training and other resources, to encourage families to become licensed whenever possible.

Prioritizing the placement of children with kin is important to helping them maintain their cultural and familial connections and has been a key issue for Nebraska Appleseed for many years.